BASEBALL

Baseball Sees Late Lead Vanish Again; Fall 8-5 to #19 GCSU

MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Ranked #19 in the latest Collegiate Baseball poll, #19 Georgia College and State University scored five of their eight runs in the final three frames picking up an 8-5 victory over Pfeiffer University at Joe Ferebee Field on Tuesday afternoon. Despite the solid start by the Falcons Eric Shuford, leadoff man Kyle Allen went 4-for-5 with three runs scored helping the Bobcats improve to 15-8 overall. The loss sinks Pfeiffer to 16-18.

The visitors struck first in the fourth on a Brett George two-out, two-run homer. The inning was kept alive by a two-out fielding error by the Falcons, leading to Benton Yaun reaching base continuing the frame for George. An inning later, a sacrifice-fly by Richard Pirkle put the Bobcats up 3-0.

Pfeiffer this time responded with two in the home half of the fourth and three in the fifth to snag a 5-3 lead. J.T. Pope started the fourth with a leadoff double, later scoring on a Zack Pou single. Will Davis then brought home Carlos Badillo with a base hit as Badillo drew a walk after Pope’s two-bagger.

In the fifth, Eric Shoemaker began the frame with a free pass to first while Aarin Sharpe got aboard via fielder’s choice. After a pitching change, Badillo made the Bobcats pay with a three-run blast that put the Falcons up a pair.

Georgia College and State began their comeback with three in the seventh on a two-run double by Ward and RBI two-base hit by Yaun. In the eighth, Allen added a solo shot before Evans picked up a round-tripper in the ninth.

Brendon Malkowski scored the win for the Bobcats tossing 2.2 innings out of the pen not allowing a single run or hit. Davis was the only Falcon to pick up multiple hits on the day with two. Shuford factored in the no-decision despite tossing the first six frames, allowing no earned runs with six strikeouts.

Both teams wrap up the brief two-game set on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.